NBA season finally set to tip off on Christmas

New York Knicks' Amare Stoudemire, second from left, Baron Davis, third from left, Carmelo Anthony, second from right, and Tyson Chandler, right, cheer on teammates from the bench in the closing seconds of the Knicks' 88-82 win over the New Jersey Nets in an NBA preseason basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011, in New York.

Now it's time to play some games that count. The NBA looks to put a trying offseason behind Sunday when the season opens with five marquee games.

Players, coaches and league officials hope attention will now shift to the court, helping fans forget the labor dispute that resulted in a shortened 66-game schedule.

The Celtics and Knicks tip off the festivities Sunday. Then comes an NBA Finals rematch with Miami at Dallas followed by Chicago at the Lakers. Orlando visits Oklahoma City in a small-market special, and Paul makes his Clippers debut at Golden State in the nightcap.